1. Technical Services and the 8Rs Canadian Library Human Resource Study Allison Sivak Canadian Library Association May 23, 2007

2. Previous Research Wilder (2002) noted: hires for tech services jobs in ARL libraries dropped 46%, 1985-2000  23% of all hires in 1985  10% of all hires in 2000  1980: 36% of new professionals filled tech services positions  2000: 12% Compared to 40% of new profs filling public services positions  Wilder suggests: fundamental shift in staffing priorities of academic libraries away from professional tech services / cataloguing

3. Deeker (2006) hypothesed:  The negative trend in demand for technical services jobs had reversed.  There is a marked increase in the demand for computer skills. Conclusion: not able to meaningfully measure  Entry-level technical services jobs are rare. 22.6% of postings neither required / preferred experience  Technical services jobs are hard to fill. More reposts More ads for temporary / part time positions Fewer ads requiring MLIS Found more reposts only

4. Methods Individual Survey  Librarians (n=539)  Library Technicians (n=377) Selected those who agree they “frequently” perform activities of Cataloguing, database management and organization of information resources; metadata schemes; OPACs

5. Length of Time in Career Librarians New entrants: 22% Mid-career: 27% Senior: 51% Library Technicians New entrants: 20% Mid-career: 34% Senior: 46%

6. Career Level

7. Job Functions: Technical Services

8. Job Functions: Collections

9. Job Functions: Public Service and Outreach

11. Job Functions: IT

12. Job Functions: Administration and Management

14. Job Functions: Professional Development / Participation

15. Staff Job Values and Job Opportunities to Exercise Values

21. Librarians agreeing their education, training, skills, and experience that:  Allows them to perform at their jobs: 82%  Makes them overqualified for job: 21%  Qualified to move into a higher level: 65%

22. Librarians’ Training & Career Interests Interested in training for:  Technology skills: 70%  Management skills: 53%  Business skills: 39% Interested in more resp position: 41% Agreeing organization provides “adequate” training opps: 51%

23. MLIS Assessment New professionals who agree MLIS program provided them with the necessary skills in areas of:  General: 64%  Problem-solving: 50%  IT: 23%  Management: 19%  Leadership: 12%  Business: 54%

24. MLIS Assessment New professionals agreeing MLIS provided them with a realistic picture of:  Library work: 49%  Library work in my sector: 37%

25. “Compared to 5 Years Ago, My Job is Currently More…”

27. Summary Variety of job functions of librarians and technicians: tech services, collection development / management, adult services, liaison, database maintenance, administration and management Most overlap between librarians and technicians in areas of: Cataloguing, database mgmt, org of info resources, metadata schemes, OPACs Creation and maintenance of bibliographic records Collection development, evaluation and management Adult services Library systems, hardware, software support

28. Staff Workplace Values Librarians value:  use of IT skills  new project opportunities  professional development  variety in work  participation in larger decision-making  dynamic and changing environment  challenging work  respect  low stress  adequate work-life balance Technicians value:  use of IT skills  professional development  variety in work  participation in larger decision-making  dynamic and changing environment  challenging work

29. Workplace Values Closest Matches Librarians IT skills Task variety New project opportunities Performing leadership role Dynamic & changing environment Fair and equitable treatment Good relationship w/ para staff Library Technicians IT skills Task variety Supervising others Motivating others Managing service / dept Leadership role opportunities Equitable treatment

30. Gaps in Values and Workplace / Position Provision Librarians’ largest gaps:  supervision  larger decision-making  manageable workload  stress  salary  respect Technicians’ largest gaps:  ability to grow & learn new skills  larger decision-making  manageable workload  salary  respect

31. Questions? allison.sivak@ualberta.ca